Radiology Degree

Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiological Sciences helps prepare undergraduate students and students without a prior degree in the field, for a career in Radiology. Radiographers are professionals in the health care industry who assist physicians in the use of radiant energy, ionizing radiation, electromagnetic energy, and sound waves in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Programs range in length from 1 year to 4 years depending on the specialization chosen, the program selected, and the number of credit hours required.

Why a Degree in Radiology?

Why should you earn a Bachelor of Science in Radiological Sciences?

• Earning a Bachelors Degree can prepare you to assume a leadership role and advance within your profession.
• Skilled Radiological Technologists are in high demand in both urban and rural areas throughout the United States.
• Earning this degree provides you hands-on experience with the latest modalities and equipment used in the field.
• With several different areas of specialization and a wide array of opportunities in the health care market, obtaining a Bachelors Degree can provide you with the tools to target your career search to specific areas of interest.
• Starting salaries within the field for those holding Bachelors Degrees range from $35,000 to $55,000 a year

Radiology Degree Courses

The specific requirements to obtain a Bachelor’s in Radiological Sciences differ depending on the specialty and the program you select. The courses listed below are classes you can expect to encounter in earning this degree. Please consult your specific course curriculum for a detailed listing of course requirements and credit hours.

• Advanced Radiographic Procedures
• Anatomy
• Biology
• Clinical Courses
• Introduction to Radiology/ Basic Radiographic Procedures
• Intermediate Radiographic Procedures
• Image Analysis
• Medical Ethics
• Pharmacology
• Physics
• Physiology
• Radiographic Pathology
• (Medical) Radiographic Physics/ Physics for Technologists
• Special Imaging Modalities

Radiology Career Opportunities

Below is a list of some of the opportunities available to those holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiographic Sciences . This list is not comprehensive, and should serve only as a guide to possible opportunities:

• Radiographer
• Radiologic Technologist
• Radiation Therapist
• Medical Sonographer
• Educator
• Consultant
• Researcher
• Administrator

What You Need to Know About Online Radiology Degrees

Radiological Scientists can specialize in mammography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac interventional radiography (CI), vascular interventional radiography (VI), and diagnostic medical ultrasonography (U/S). Each specialty has its own accreditation and educational requirements. Students obtaining the degree can become registered radiographers, or take additional credit hours to specialize in a particular field. To obtain the Bachelors Degree, students are required to obtain hands on experience in the form of Clinics and/or Clinical Internships. Depending on the program, anywhere from 10 credit hours to more than 30 credit hours are required. These credit hours may be spent doing internships at doctors offices, hospitals, mobile imaging companies, industrial research centers, government agencies, and/or in labs at the degree-granting institution. Students may also be required to pass National Board Exams to become certified as a Skilled Technologist and/or to obtain necessary state licensing. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is the national examining board for Radiologic Technologists.

Education Requirements for Radiology Bachelor Degrees

Admission requirements vary depending on the program of choice. A high school diploma or GED is usually required, along with transcripts and letters of recommendation. Some schools have more stringent admissions standards, requiring a minimum high school GPA. For information on applying to a program, you should consult the admissions office of that institution, or review the programs application requirements.

Radiology Degree Accreditation

Accreditation requirements vary by state, so be sure to research the specific accreditation of the program you are interested in. Several recognized accrediting bodies include:

• The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology
• The American Registry of Radiological Technologists
• The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Ulstrasound

Radiology Degree Professional Organizations

There are a wide variety of national organizations for Radiological Technologists and Scientists. Individual states also have their own professional organizations within the field. The state and national organizations provide a wealth of information, including state licensing requirements, and opportunities for continuing education.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
www.rsna.org

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
www.arrt.org

American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT)
www.asrt.org

American Association of Educators in Radiological Sciences (AERS)
www.aers.org

American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)
www.ardms.org

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS)
www.sdms.org